Co-producing sustainability indicators for the port of Antwerp: how sustainability reporting creates new discursive spaces for concern and mobilisation

Abstract

In this article we discuss the port of Antwerp’s sustainability reporting initiative, reporting on the joint performance of the harbour community, as a process of co-production. By means of ‘stakeholder elicitation’ and in interaction with the port’s sustainability reporting initiative we investigated potentially meaningful indicators (mainly qualitative in nature) for environmental nuisance and citizen participation as aspects of responsible care. Reflecting on this work, we argue that such initiatives not only produce new sustainability indicators and standards, but also encourage dialogue through which identities are formed and a sense of (port) community is established.